How to knit a 'proper' English tea cosy!

Step 7 Begin Shaping

When your knitted piece measures about 6 inches you will need to do some shaping to curve it in at the top. This is very easy.

With right side facing, Knit 3 with colour A. Keeping the yarns across the back as before and twisting the yarns as before between colour A and B after stitch number 3, knit 4 and knit 2 together with colour B. Continue across, knitting 4 and knitting 2 together in alternate colours until you reach the last three stitches. Knit 3 in colour A.

With the wrong side facing knit 3 A, knit 5 B, to the end of the row keeping the colours correct to last 3 stitches when you will knit 3 A.

Knit 4 rows as above, continuing with correct colour striping. Note if your tea cosy is taller or shorter than mine, you can adjust the number of knitted rows and knit the piece a bit longer or a bit shorter.

Next row, right side
Knit 2 together, knit 1 colour A, Knit 2 together B, Knit 3 B, Knit 2 together A, Knit 3 A, etc.

Knit across until last three stitches and Knit 2 together A, knit 1 colour A.

Next row (wrong side)
Knit 2 A, knit 4 B, etc. until last two stitches, knit 2 A